Football superstar Eto’o ‘considering’ move to Uzbekistan
Published 17 July, 2008, 19:57
One of the world’s top footballers, Samuel Eto’o, says he is considering an offer to move to Uzbekistan. Tashkent side Quruvchi have claimed the Barcelona striker and three times African player of the year is poised to s
“I have several good offers from various clubs at present,” he said. “I'm planning to return to Barcelona and starting from Saturday, I will consider all my options, including the one from Kuruvchi.”
But Barcelona have described the move as “unlikely” and said they were unaware of any plans to sell their striker to the Uzbek side.
Speculation in Uzbekistan has reached fever pitch as the Cameroon international has been visiting the Central Asian republic.
Eto’o is in Tashkent as part of a PR exercise by Barcelona.
On July 14 Quruvchi announced that they had signed Eto'o on a six-month contract to play in the Uzbek championship and the Asian Champions League, with the transfer fee reported to be around $US 40 MLN. The story was confirmed by the club's Sporting Director Bahtier Babayev and reported in the Uzbek media.
The world of football has seen some big transfers of famous names to less glamourous clubs or leagues, like Maxi Lopez’s €2-MLN switch from Barcelona to FC Moscow last year.
But this would be on a much greater scale and would rank as one of the biggest transfer coups in the history of football.
Barca sign Hleb
Meanwhile, Barcelona have unveiled a new arrival to offset the departure of top star Ronaldinho.
Belarus international Aleksandr Hleb became coach Pep Guardiola's fifth signing so far this summer. Over the last few months Hleb claimed he wanted to leave Arsenal and now he's got his wish.
He joins the Catalan club on a 4-year deal and they will pay the London club around $US 24 million.
Inter Milan had also wanted to sign the Belarus international, but Barca won the race, and Hleb says he's delighted to join such a great club.
“My dream came true. I am in Barcelona. I want to give my best for this club and win all the trophies with it. I am very happy,” he said.
Hleb’s signing looks like ending any possibility of Andrey Arshavin moving from Zenit St Petersburg to the Catalan giants.
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